Simple Mindfulness Exercise for Crocheters

Mindfulness is a state of being fully aware and immersed in the actions of the present moment. When you are focused on the present, you can’t be upset about things that happened in the past or worrying about things that are going to happen in the future. You can only be right here in this moment experiencing what is happening right in front of you. Mindfulness is frequently used as part of the treatment for many mental health conditions including depression and bipolar disorder.

Crochet can be used to practice mindfulness. By actively focusing on the project in your hands, you can stay in tune with the present moment. This gives your mind and body a much needed break from any stressors in your life and can be a terrific part of a total wellness plan. In my new book, Crochet Saved My Life, I’ve shared six different mindfulness exercises for crocheters. I thought I’d share one of them here with you today.

Simple Mindfulness Exercise for Crocheters

Read through the exercise first then find a quiet space in your home to practice the exercise.

Select a crochet hook and yarn that are both easy to work with. Sit still with your work in your lap. All that you are going to be doing is making a long crochet chain. You will slowly work each loop of the chain, counting each loop as you make it. Focus all of your attention on making one loop at a time and not allowing any other thoughts to creep in. Every time that you notice a thought, frog the chain (meaning just take it apart) and start over.

So, for example, you will start your chain … One loop, two loops … (I’m so annoyed that my check hasn’t gotten direct deposited yet, I really need to go to the bank … oops, I’m thinking, better start over.) … Frog, re-start the chain … One loop, two loops, three loops … (I really like this yarn but it seems like such a waste to be using it for a mindfulness exercise. Damn. I’m thinking again.) Frog and start over.

Try to continue this exercise until you have successfully focused on the loops at hand and let all other thoughts pass to the length of a ten-loop chain. When you are first learning mindfulness, you may only be able to achieve a chain length of five or six. That’s okay. Cut yourself some slack. Mindfulness isn’t easy. We have busy brains.

24 Comments:

Crochet is indeed a form of meditation for me. Hooks and needles are the only things that help me clear my mind. I think that’s why I like to learn complex stitch patterns and new techniques. You can’t really worry about whether you paid the electric bill or returned that phone call while you are keeping track of where to put the next ch3 space. To be successful with a new technique you have to be present in each stitch at least in the learning stage. Crochet can train you to be “in the moment” because once your mind wanders to something else, you mess up and have to frog. I guess that’s why I am always looking to learn new aspects of the craft.

How did I miss this post!? I’m so glad to have seen a link to it in today’s post, thank you! As a caregiver, this mindfulness exercise is going to be great to use when I stress about all the myriad parts of my mother’s care. My daughter, also a crocheter, uses crochet as a means of working off a build-up of nervous energy from anxiety and ADHD. She’ll find this exercise very useful as well. Thank you!

Hi: I love your articles–I can relate to you when you say “crochet saved my life” I have been crocheting since I was 8–I am now 59 and retired and love crocheting and knitting–keep up the work–you are a great encouragement–